Introduction to Backgammon

The game backgammon has been dated by historians all the back to 3,000 BC. It was also popular in ancient Rome and the modern version has been played throughout the world since the 19th century.

• History of the Game
• Backgammon in the 18th Century 
• Origins in Mesopotamia

The object of the game is to get all of your pieces (either white or black) into your home side so you can begin to "bear-off" which means remove them from the board. The first person to bear-off all of his or her game pieces is the winner.

• Rules of the Game
• Board Set Up
• Bearing Off Diagram 

What you will need:

-Two Players

-A Backgammon Board

-Thirty game pieces in two separate colors

-One pair of dice

-In a tournament or gambling game, a doubling cube would be needed to help keep score.

Getting to know the board

On the top left corner will be either a black or white Outer Table and across from that corner will be the same corresponding colors Inner Table or Home.

Each table has six triangular points that are alternately colored. In the middle of the board between the 6th and 7th point is a bar.

• Board Diagram
• Virtual Checker Position Setup

Beginners Play

The game will start when each play rolls one dice. The bigger number will start to play by using the total number of the combined die. For example if a 4 and a 3 are rolled, the person who rolled the 4 will begin and play 4+3. The best rolls are the ones that will get you 5 or bar points. If you roll a 5 point it will prevent your opponent of a landing place on the bar.

Your objective early on is to get your back game pieces out before they are blocked in and also try to build block points on your side of the board to prevent your opponents back pieces from escaping.

• Dice Stats for Backgammon
• Dice and Shot Information
• How to Play Opening Rolls
• Sample Game to Show Beginners